Abortion inserted into repeal effort

Republicans are turning to abortion as a key issue to rally their base as they attempt to replace the Democrats’ health reform law.

The high-profile introduction of a Republican anti-abortion bill — just hours after the health repeal vote and prior to any legislation on jobs or economy—has groups on both sides of the issue gearing up for another aggressive fight.

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The No Tax-Payer Funding for Abortion Act, introduced Thursday as H.R. 3, aims to codify the Hyde Amendment, which has long barred federal funding for abortion and must currently be renewed every year. The legislation was introduced in tandem with the Protect Life Act, sponsored by Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.), that would specifically bar any federal funding for abortion under the health reform law.

“This common sense legislation reflects the will of the people and deserves the support of the House,” House Speaker John Boehner said at a Thursday morning press conference. “It’s one of highest legislative priorities and as such I’ve directed it receive the designation of H.R. 3.”

The new legislation will no doubt keep health reform on the front burner, as House Republicans look for specific provisions of the law they can tackle that will resonate with voters. While independent fact check organizations have concluded that the health reform does not allow for federal funding of abortion, Republicans remain insistent that the language is too loose and the possibility for funding does indeed remain.

The high-profile treatment of this taxpayer funding bill has abortion-rights supporters bracing for yet another battle on the Hill.

“This is a very serious threat,” Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards told POLITICO in a Thursday morning interview. “These folks have just taken office and this is what they’re focusing on…Based on what we’re seeing, just few days after the start of Congress, we’re absolutely ready for a very serious fight.”

To be sure, anti-abortion legislation is often introduced with much fanfare only to fizzle in committee, never making it to the House floor. Even the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Bill was introduced last session only to die in committee.

But those involved on both sides of the abortion issue say things are different in the 112th Congress for two key reasons: the high priority that Republicans have given the issue as well as the influx of anti-abortion members of Congress into both the House and Senate.

In a telling move, Speaker Boehner held his press conference to discuss the abortion legislation hours before an appearance with House committee chairs to outline their approach to dismantling the health reform law. The legislation was well-timed for anti-abortion activists, who will mark the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22 with their annual March for Life, scheduled for this coming Monday.